Hopatcong's Martinek Preps for Pinstripe Bowl

Not a bad way to go out.

Hopatcong High School football legend Joe Martinek will play his last college football game when Rutgers takes on Iowa State in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at 3:30 p.m. at Yankee Stadium.

Martinek, a senior fullback, set New Jersey's all-time rushing record with 7,589 yards while scoring 80 touchdowns and leading the Chiefs to a 2005 state title. After redshirting his freshman year, Martinek played mostly running back before to fullback, where he's become a solid blocker and passing threat from the backfield, catching 27 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown.

Earlier this week, Martinek posted a photo of himself on Twitter at his last practice as a Scarlet Knight.

Read below for more about the game, courtesy of Rutgers University.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – For the sixth time in seven years, Rutgers will appear in a bowl game as the Scarlet Knights play in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Friday, December 30 versus Iowa State from the Big 12 Conference. Kickoff is set for 3:20 p.m. at Yankee Stadium.

ESPN will televise the game with Chris Fowler, Jesse Palmer and Tom Rinaldi calling the action.

“It is a terrific situation when you can play your bowl game in the greatest city in the world,” said Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano. “Getting an opportunity to play in a bowl game hosted by the New York Yankees is a great reward for our players.”

Rutgers (8-4, 4-3 BIG EAST), which has won four consecutive bowls, is making its seventh bowl appearance in school history. The Scarlet Knights are 4-2 all-time in bowl games. RU made just one bowl appearance in 135 years of football until Schiano guided the Scarlet Knights to six bowl appearances during his tenure.

“New York City is one of the best places in the world, especially over the Holidays, so having the chance to play a bowl game at Yankee Stadium is going to be special for our players, coaches and fans,” said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tim Pernetti. “The New York Yankees are one of the elite organizations in all of sports and we look forward to fun-filled week of activities in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. I can’t wait to see a sea of Scarlet in the stands at Yankee Stadium December 30.”

The New Era Pinstripe Bowl matchup between Rutgers and Iowa State (6-6, 3-6 Big 12) is the first between the two schools. The Scarlet Knights are 1-3 all-time vs. Big 12 opponents. The last time RU played a school from the Big 12, the Scarlet Knights rolled past Kansas State 37-10 in the 2006 Texas Bowl, the school’s first bowl victory.

The Scarlet Knights return to the home of the Yankees for the second time in 2011 after November’s 27-12 victory over Army. All-time, RU is 2-7-1 in games played at Yankee Stadium.

Rutgers fans are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets through Rutgers for the best pricing options available for the game. Starting Monday at 8:30 a.m., tickets for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl are available online (http://RutgersBowl.com), by phone (1-866-445-GORU) and in-person at the Rutgers Ticket Office during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.). Ticket prices range from $30-$210. For travel information, visit http://www.altoursportstravel.com/Rut-pinstrip-bowl/index.html

Rutgers Bowl History

Bowl (Location)                                                                       Result                                                     Date

2009 St. Petersburg Bowl (St. Petersburg, Fla.)                  Rutgers 45, UCF 24                              12/19/09

2008 PapaJohns.com Bowl (Birmingham, Ala.)                    Rutgers 29, NC State 23                      12/29/08

2008 International Bowl (Toronto, Ontario)                           Rutgers 52, Ball State 30                      1/5/08

2006 Texas Bowl (Houston, Texas)                                       Rutgers 37, Kansas State 10               12/28/06

2005 Insight Bowl (Phoenix, Ariz.)                                          Arizona State 45, Rutgers 40               12/27/05

1978 Garden State Bowl (East Rutherford, N.J.)                  Arizona State 34, Rutgers 18               12/6/78